U.S. Trade Agency Funds Philippines SMR Feasibility Study
Updated Published Cached
_28170.jpg)
USTDA allocates $2.7 million for SMR technical assistance to Meralco PowerGen – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced funding to help the Philippines’ largest private utility subsidiary evaluate U.S. small modular reactor designs and draft an implementation roadmap for the country’s first SMR plant [1].
Assistance will produce a U.S. technology shortlist and financing roadmap – The review will enable MGEN to rank U.S. SMR providers and create a project‑structuring and financing plan that follows international best practices [1].
USTDA opened a proposal window for U.S. firms, closing 23 February – Interested companies meeting experience and capability criteria can submit bids to deliver the technical assistance, as detailed on the agency’s website [2].
Deputy Director Thomas Hardy says funding will boost U.S. nuclear industry and Philippines’ energy future – Hardy emphasized that safe, secure SMRs offer energy independence and that the grant will strengthen America’s nuclear base while positioning U.S. technology as the foundation for the Philippines’ power mix [1].
Meralco Chairman Manuel Pangilinan calls the grant a step toward safe nuclear integration – Pangilinan highlighted the partnership as a responsible pathway to energy security, noting the need for rigor and world‑class expertise in deploying SMRs [1].
U.S. adds SMR control‑room simulator and university partnership programmes to support Philippines’ nuclear rollout – New initiatives include a simulator in the Luzon Economic Corridor for operator training and the FIRST programme funding collaborations with Texas A&M and King’s College London to embed SMR curricula in Philippine engineering schools [1].
- Thomas Hardy, Deputy Director, USTDA – “Safe, secure, and safeguarded nuclear solutions offer tremendous potential for energy independence. Our funding will advance Meralco's nuclear energy programme, strengthen America's nuclear industrial base and position trusted US technologies as the foundation for the Philippines' energy future.”
- Manuel Pangilinan, Chairman, Meralco – “Through the generosity of the US government, we are laying the groundwork for the responsible integration of nuclear into our energy mix through small modular reactors… This grant is the beginning of a long and deliberate journey… We thank the USTDA for acknowledging the vision, capabilities, and readiness of Meralco… to handle the next great innovation in nuclear energy.”